Protection Checklist

Fact Sheet

Office To Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons

June 20, 2014

This checklist represents a non-exhaustive collection of effective victim protection practices compiled by the State Department’s Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons from a variety of sources, including NGOs and foreign governments. The suggestions listed may not be feasible or appropriate in all situations, but represent practices that governments may consider in developing victim protection strategies.

Identification

Conduct targeted public awareness campaigns within communities, industries, and areas at risk of trafficking that are culturally and linguistically appropriate.

Train government personnel, particularly first-responders and those in labor, health, immigration, and law enforcement, to identify and refer victims to the appropriate services.

Conduct screenings for potential trafficking victims among those incarcerated and in immigration detention centers.

Adopt programs to screen vulnerable immigrant populations, including asylum seekers and unaccompanied children at borders, for indicators of human trafficking.

Inform citizen and noncitizen workers of the rights of workers relevant to their workplace and of other rights to facilitate the self-reporting of labor violations, exploitation, and human trafficking.

Establish and publicize a national hotline to facilitate referrals to law enforcement and service providers for victims of trafficking.

Monitor industries with a high risk of exploitation and trafficking.

Take measures to protect the identity of victims in press statements and other public documents, including allowing victims to decide whether to disclose identifying information.

Legal Proceedings

Enable victims’ testimony to be presented and considered at appropriate stages of criminal proceedings against their traffickers, consistent with domestic law.

Train law enforcement personnel on victim rights and protections so that they treat trafficked persons as victims, rather than penalize them for unlawful acts committed as a direct result of their being trafficked.

Create law enforcement protocols that mandate appropriate protection and treatment of trafficking victims.

Allow trafficked persons to seek legal recourse against their traffickers and compensation for their loss.

Provide victims with information about their rights and any relevant legal proceedings in a language that they understand.

Take appropriate and feasible measures to protect trafficked persons and their family members from intimidation and retaliation from traffickers.

Provide access to services and support to victims during legal proceedings to help ease the burden of cooperation.

Services

Create victim assistance information about available services and distribute at appropriate locations.

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